U.S., CHILE SIGN "OPEN SKIES" AGREEMENT

   The United States and Chile signed an agreement Thursday that allows the countries’ airlines to provide unrestricted service to, from and beyond each other’s territories.
   The "open skies" agreement was signed by U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Rodney E. Slater and Chilean Transportation and
Telecommunications Minister Claudio Hohmann.
   The agreement makes effective last month’s grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation of antitrust immunity to the alliance of American Airlines and Chilean carrier Lan Chile.
   "We expect this agreement to lead to expanded services and lower fares for consumers. We can also look forward to new direct service between additional communities in both countries," Slater said.
   Besides American and Lan Chile, Continental Airlines and United offer flights between Chile and the United States. Delta has applied for rights to begin flying to Chile.
   The United States has open skies agreements with 35 other countries,
including Argentina and Peru.